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This is absolutely insane. This is the most inefficient way imaginable to deploy solar power. We could deploy 100x the capacity $/Wh with utility-scale farms.

This is absolutely insane. This is the most inefficient way imaginable to deploy solar power. We could deploy 100x the capacity $/Wh with utility-scale farms. Unfortunately we are just completely failing on basic coordination problems like this in the west, every man for himself.

spockz 2mo ago
It is inefficient in the grand scheme of things yes. But it is very efficient on the level of the individual home owner, especially if they do not own the building so cannot install solar. It is a good way to cheaply reduce the cost of electricity. Yes, installing the solar power globally, and getting a globally connected grid would be more efficient in terms of solar panels/kW(h). But alas, that also requires a lot more infrastructure. In the mean time this can reduce the energy bill for many people. Especially, if tied to a battery. It is not intended to provide independence, for that you need a lot more capacity.
- plantain 2mo ago
  These people are already connected to a grid. We already have the infrastructure.
  - spockz 2mo ago
    AFAICT, the Continental US does not have a fully connected grid. This allows electricity providers to charge wildly different rates depending on the state/region. It also requires each net to individually ensure capacity and uptime. Having a connected grid is a requirement for being able to transfer energy from places with significant amount of renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) to others. Even if this comes with large losses in transfer it is still a net positive. Especially if you factor in the resulting stability.
triceratops 2mo ago
People buying panels with their own money doesn't take away dollars from utility solar.
- plantain 2mo ago
  It absolutely does. Money (or what it represents) is finite.
  - Incipient 2mo ago
    Does $1 on home solar take away $1 from utility solar? Probably not. Does it take away more than $0.00? Definitely. Who knows if it takes away an amount that actually matters - however in the short term at least it absolutely makes things better for the individual installing them, which is good.
AndrewDucker 2mo ago
Nothing about this prevents utility solar

spockz 2mo ago

It is inefficient in the grand scheme of things yes. But it is very efficient on the level of the individual home owner, especially if they do not own the building so cannot install solar. It is a good way to cheaply reduce the cost of electricity. Yes, installing the solar power globally, and getting a globally connected grid would be more efficient in terms of solar panels/kW(h). But alas, that also requires a lot more infrastructure. In the mean time this can reduce the energy bill for many people. Especially, if tied to a battery. It is not intended to provide independence, for that you need a lot more capacity.

plantain 2mo ago
These people are already connected to a grid. We already have the infrastructure.
- spockz 2mo ago
  AFAICT, the Continental US does not have a fully connected grid. This allows electricity providers to charge wildly different rates depending on the state/region. It also requires each net to individually ensure capacity and uptime. Having a connected grid is a requirement for being able to transfer energy from places with significant amount of renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) to others. Even if this comes with large losses in transfer it is still a net positive. Especially if you factor in the resulting stability.

triceratops 2mo ago

People buying panels with their own money doesn't take away dollars from utility solar.

plantain 2mo ago
It absolutely does. Money (or what it represents) is finite.
- Incipient 2mo ago
  Does $1 on home solar take away $1 from utility solar? Probably not. Does it take away more than $0.00? Definitely. Who knows if it takes away an amount that actually matters - however in the short term at least it absolutely makes things better for the individual installing them, which is good.

AndrewDucker 2mo ago

Nothing about this prevents utility solar